yes without doubt it was Arthur Crowther he was there a long time.

Theres no comparison between the players you have mentioned and Eastwood. The 4 stated have given a lot for the club and have proven themselves over the years. If any of them decided to leave now it would be good luck and thanks for the memories. Eastwood has decided (before he came over judging by the interviews he gave in Australia) that he prefers Sydney. It made it worse that his Father did his fighting for him in the paper.

As for the Ablett comment. He deserves to be the starter. He has been our best 2nd row this year.

JJB is giving him a late push.

See my team earlier in the thread. They are the starters

Thanks for that gents. The name does sounds familiar now you say it, by tomorrow I'll be kicking myself and thinking 'of course it's Arthur Crowther'

I'll try and remember it now for the next that McLaren asks, which he usual does every other year.

He also used to look after the Leeds Uni RL team as well on occaision.

Yes I remember him well. He was also know as the "boot man" and he did the players laundry and hung up the jerseys before a match. That was in the days when they would run down the ramp at the corner onto the field.

Apologies for referring to Clarkson as 'Clark'.

I understand the sentiments....but if Eastwood's form is such that he can and will be the difference between winning and losing the CC final... is that principle still worth it ??
Shallow I may be, but I would prefer the win to standing on principles.

(Let me add I don't necessarily think Clarkson, Ablett etc are not good enough - of course they are quality - but Eastwood [icould[/i increase the chances of that success [iif[/i he raises his game these next couple of weeks to the level he is capable of. That's why I said we should wait and see.)

Again good and fair points but if the chips are down and he starts thinking i want to go home or drops another bollock trying to be a smart-@#se it's a risk i would'nt take because the others will run through walls for their mates and that shirt.
I don't think it makes you shallow mate it's a win at all costs attitude which is fine but i personally don't think if te brown and smelly is flying Eastwood will fancy it as much as the other lads.
Of course again like you say it's also about form which has to be considered so we will have to wait as you said.

Fair comments....just trying to make the point that we should choose the best 17 that are MOST likely to win the club the trophy...even if it does stick in the craw.

In two weeks anything could happen with regards to both form and debilitating injuries to those more 'deserving'.

Greg Eastwood doesn't want to be in England in 2011, that much he has made clear.

He has also made it clear (as I believe has the coach and CEO) that he has no issues with seeing this season out and giving his utmost in Leeds' quest for as successful as possible a conclusion to the campaign. Indeed he appeared to put his hand up (despite limping his way through the warm-up last Saturday) and potentially put his season on the line in the semi-final after answering the call to arms.

As long as he's here, as long as he's giving 100%, as long as he's declared fit, as long as his form warrants selection, then I expect Leeds to continue to select him.

I'd agree with that.

Those 4 clauses just don't seem realistic for him to fulfill however.

Subtle "A" team reference.

If the cup final were tomorrow and you had to select either Clarkson or Eastwood, ignoring accents, background and reputation who would you select based upon recent form?

Has to be the easiest decision ever.

Clarkson. Every time.

Eastwood may throw a miracle offload to setup the winning score, but the hard graft that the likes ofClarkson, JJB and Ablett put in for the majority of the match is what actually wins the game for me

Yup.

Clarkson is literally putting his blood and sweat into the mix.

I cannot say the same about Eastwood.

Away from performance. I really like Clarksons demeanour. Reminds me of Hall. Very humble and appreciates the opportunity they have and they are rewarded with a place on the team sheet. Just shows that hard work and the internal drive to improve is still there.

While Senior supplies Hall, Clarkson packs down with some greats........

Hallmark moment really.

True, although having a genuine game-breaker like Lauititi in the team is no bad thing, assuming he's fit. Given a full squad, only 2 of JJB, Ablett, Clarkson and Lauititi can start. If we say, for the sake of argument, it was Ablett and JJB, and Buderus, Peacock and Bailey start (forwards are a bit interchangeable when it comes to bench spots vs starting spots, but you get the idea) the 4 bench spots would presumably then include 4 from:
Clarkson
Lauititi
Burgess
Leuluai
Diskin
Eastwood

Somebody is going to be unlucky enough to miss out. Eastwood looks to have a lot of ground to make up on some of the others if it's going to be him, because I'd always have a fully fit Lauititi in the team for a big match. Would a bench of Lauititi, Diskin, Leuluai and Clarkson be too light in the front row?

Glad I'm not a coach.



With the likes of Kirke, Ambler, Pitts etc waiting in the wings, you can kind of see why replacing Eastwood like-for-like might not be Darth's #1 priority.

Easy on present form - providing no injuries......Bailey, Buderus, Peacock, JJB, Clarkson, Sinfield to start with (on the bench) : Smith, Ali, Eastwood/Lleulai or even Ambler, Ablett.

...and no I'm not forgetting Burgess or Diskin.

Nah!!! I take it back. Glad I'm not the coach after tonight's commited display epitomised by Kirke's SECOND wonder tackle of the season. That alone now puts him at the top of my list at the moment.

Clarkson, had another wow of a game against Castleford, imo, will be named the YEP shooting star and young player of the season award. Could have thrown his name in the hat for SL young player, but could have just fallen short, should be there or there abouts next season! no need to replace Eastwood for a second rower because he fits all the bills at the moment the way he his playing. One of our form players.

Agree. Great try too.

He and Ambler have been the finds of this season ...and it again IMO highlights more the need for a top quality specialist centre rather than a forward.

It's a tough one, I'd say the following are pretty safe on having a wembley spot:

1. Webb
2. Smith
3. Delaney
4. Senior
5. Hall
6. McGuire
7. Burrow
8. Bailey
9. Buderus
10. Peacock
11.
12. JJB
13. Sinfield

14. Leuleui
15.
16.
17.

So we have a second row spot and 3 substitute spots to fight for between Diskin, Ablett, Clarkson, Kirke, Eastwood, Lautiiti and Burgess. Burgess appears to be out of the equation now. So 6 players are fighting for, four spots.

There is also a mini battle between Donald, Smith and Delaney for there position, however I feel Bluey favours Smith over Donald at the moment and he didn't let us down last saturday.

Not letting us down is not much of a compliment...



Smith def looked better on that right wing than at left centre tonight. However if Donald gets the nod then I would still def give Smith one of the bench spots. That leaves it too light if Diskin takes another. Clarkson is better starting than on the bench; Eastwood wasn't as convincing as Ali was tonight for one of the other bench spots. Ablett deserves a place but then Kirke showed his worth tonight too. Tricky indeed.

(Forgive the pedantry but it's [itheir[/i not [ithere[/i)

IMO we haveto play 3 running forwards on the bench, and Buderus has proved to be very effective when spelled so he has to make the tough decision to drop SMith or Donald. I'd always find a place in my line up for Smith somewhere so unfortunately Donald has to make way for me - I thought it was a very brave but correct call in the semi